Author: 
Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland and one of the country’s oldest settlements. Its city center is packed with fascinating historic buildings, and there’s much to learn about the history of both Poland and Europe when you explore Krakow’s sights and museums.
Due to its size, Krakow offers plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation but it can be tricky to know which part of the city to stay in.
Let’s take a look at some of Krakow’s key neighborhoods and highlight some of its most popular hotels to help you decide where to stay when you visit this fascinating city.
Stare Miasto for Sightseeing
Photo Credit: Velishchuk Yevhen
Highlights: St. Mary’s Basilica, Rynek Glowny, Cloth Hall, Florian’s Gate, Florianska Street, Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, Crown Treasury, Krakow Glowny Train Station
Stare Miasto is Krakow’s Old Town area and it’s characterized by cobbled streets, winding alleyways, elegant squares, and grand buildings. Rynek Glowny, the main market square, is a hub for social and religious gatherings, and it’s a great spot to enjoy a coffee or beer.
The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and St. Mary’s Basilica are two of Stare Miasto’s most recognizable landmarks, but there are many more Renaissance and Gothic buildings to admire. Walk through Florian’s Gate to take in the architecture of Florianska Street, then stroll along The Royal Road to see Wawel Hill, which is home to the 14th-century Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, and Crown Treasury.
There are lots of excellent restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs here in the heart of Krakow, so stay in Stare Miasto for the convenience of having everything on your doorstep. When you want to venture further afield, the area is well-connected via public transport; you can reach Krakow Airport in Balice in under 20 minutes by train. There are accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes in Stare Miasto, including luxury, midrange, and cheap hotels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and hostels.
Where to Stay in Stare Miasto
Here are some of the best hotels to stay in Stare Miasto:
- Hotel Betmanowska Main Square Residence is a 4-star hotel with welcoming, friendly staff. It’s set in a charming medieval building with stained glass windows, and its rooms have flatscreen televisions, minibars, safes, coffeemakers, and free WiFi.
- Hotel Copernicus is a 5-star hotel with a formal restaurant, a spa, a sauna, an indoor pool, and a shared lounge area with a cozy fireplace. Its rooms and suites are individually styled, and some of them have marble bathrooms and frescoes.
- Holiday Inn Krakow City Centre is set within a renovated 19th-century palace, and its dark wood furnishings give it a chic, sophisticated atmosphere. Rooms include desks, minibars, coffeemaking facilities, televisions, and free WiFi.
- Hilton Garden Inn Krakow is a 4-star hotel that lies within walking distance of both Old Town and the Jewish Quarter. It provides incredible views over the Vistula River, Wawel Royal Castle, and the Skalka Church.
- Sheraton Grand Krakow lies at the foot of the Wawel Castle making it perfectly placed for exploring the city’s historic sights. Guests can make use of the in-house swimming pool, sauna, gym, wellness area, rooftop terrace, and Italian restaurant.
- Hotel Wielopole is a two-minute walk from Planty Park and six minutes from St. Mary’s Basilica. Its cozy rooms have flatscreen TVs and WiFi as standard, and upgraded rooms include minifridges, sitting areas, and either a balcony or view of the basilica.
Kazimierz for Art
Photo Credit: lindasky76
Highlights: Museum of Engineering and Technology, The Old Synagogue, Galicia Jewish Museum
Kazimierz, which lies south of Stare Miasto, was originally a town in its own right when it was founded in 1335. Over the following centuries, it become the primary residential and commercial area of Poland’s Jewish community. After the Nazi Germany invasion of Poland in 1939, Kazimierz struggled to recover and remained largely derelict until the late 1980s and early 1990s when new investment — partly inspired by Spielberg’s Schindler’s List — helped to restore the area.
Today, the area is a flourishing hub of art galleries, live music venues, artisanal stores, and cool cafes. There’s also a great nightlife scene here, with students and visitors flocking to the cellars, terraces, and basements that now serve as trendy bars. Much of the neighborhood’s Jewish history remains in its restored shopfronts and synagogues. Head to the 15th-century Old Synagogue and the Galicia Jewish Museum to learn more about Jewish culture in Krakow and the impact of the Holocaust on Polish Jews.
Kazimierz’s close proximity to Old Town makes it an excellent location for seeing Krawkow’s main sights. There’s a great mix of hotels to choose from and plenty of eateries and bars.
Where to Stay in Kazimierz
This is where to stay in Kazimierz:
- PURO Krakow Kazimierz is a cool, modern hotel within easy walking distance of many popular sights. Its standard rooms include televisions, safes, minifridges, and free WiFi, while its upgraded rooms have coffeemakers and sitting areas.
- INX Design Hotel Krakow is a cool art deco-style boutique hotel with bold, stylish rooms. There are guestrooms and apartments to choose from, with the latter benefiting from whirlpool tubs, living rooms, and terraces with views of the city.
Kleparz for Backpackers
Photo Credit: Arsenie Krasnevsky
Highlights: Stary Kleparz, Galeria Krakowska
Kleparz lies north of Stare Miasto and although it is primarily a residential area, it makes a great base for backpackers and travelers on a budget. The Cracow University of Technology campus is situated here so there’s a high population of students and plenty of affordable bars and eateries. There are a couple of cheap hotels, but most people stay in apart-hotels, private rentals, and guesthouses, which have very affordable rates.
A popular attraction in Kleparz is Stary Kleparz which is the oldest market in the city. Trading has taken place here since the 14th century, and it was a vital lifeline for Krakow residents during Poland’s communist years. Galeria Krakowska is another shopping hotspot but infinitely more modern. It’s one of the largest shopping malls in the city and has a huge range of Polish and international brands on offer.
Grzegórzki for Museums
Photo Credit: Longfin Media
Highlights: Park Strzelecki, Palaeobotanical Museum and Gardens, Opera Krakowska
Grzegórzki was considered a part of Krakow city center until the 1970s when it was designated as a district in its own right. This means it offers the convenience of being close to Stare Miasto only with more spaciousness and easy access to some of the city’s best green areas. Park Strzelecki is located here, as is the Institute of Botany’s Palaeobotanical Museum and Gardens.
There’s a charming mix of old and new when it comes to architecture in Grzegórzki. Many students live here to attend Jagiellonian University, which means it’s easy to find accommodation, food, and drink on a budget, but you can still find an upmarket experience if you’re looking for it.
The neighborhood is very well-connected to other parts of the city via public transport, and if you stay in the western portion, you’ll be within walking distance of some of Stare Miasto’s sights.
Podgorze for Natural Beauty
Photo Credit: agsaz
Highlights: Schindler’s Factory Museum, The Eagle Pharmacy, Krakus Mound
Podgorze, which translates to ‘Foothills’ in English, lies on the southern bank of the Vistula River and is one of the greenest areas in Krakow. Its backdrop is a combination of woodlands, rolling hills, and limestone cliffs that offer incredible vantage points over the city. Podgorze’s history dates back 10,000 years, but it wasn’t incorporated into Krakow until 1915. The Krakus Mound, Krakow’s oldest monument, can be found here. It’s said to be the burial site of the city’s founder, who died in the Iron Age.
During the invasion of Nazi Germany, Krakow’s Jewish community was forced into the Podgorze ghetto. From here, many were transported to concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Plaszow. You can learn about this dark period in Polish history when you visit The Eagle Pharmacy, the only pharmacy in the ghetto that was permitted to dispense medication. You should also pay a visit to Schindler’s Factory Museum to learn about Oskar Schindler’s commitment to protecting his Jewish employees during the Nazi occupation.
There’s a wide range of accommodation available in Podgorze, including hotels, guesthouses, and hostels. The neighborhood tends to be less crowded than the city center.
Ludwinow for Peace & Quiet
Photo Credit: vatolstikoff
Highlights: Forum Przetrzenie, Cracow Eye, Sightseeing Balloon
Ludwinow is a residential and business area that lies a couple of miles south of Old Town. It’s a particularly popular area for business travelers to stay in and is also a great location for tourists who want to avoid the crowds and secure affordable, comfortable accommodation. You’ll find a good range of boutique hotels, mid-range chain hotels, and apartment complexes to choose from here.
The main attraction in Ludwinow is at the Forum Przetrzenie which is a former hotel that was built in the communist era. The ultra-modern, industrialist structure now serves as a hub for creative art events, with film, music, and visual arts all represented. It also has a large cafe and several bars, and it attracts lots of people who want to admire the riverside views with a drink in hand. There’s also a Ferris wheel and tethered hot-air balloon for panoramic views over the city.
Where to Stay in Ludwinow
Radisson Blu Hotel is one of Ludinow’s most popular places to check in during a stay in Krakow. Its sleek, bright rooms include free WiFi, minibars, TVs, and coffeemakers. There’s an in-house restaurant, a bar, and a spa with a sauna, and free bike rentals are available to help you get around.
Nowy Swiat for Luxury
Photo Credit: Elzbieta Krzysztof
Highlights: Krakow Philharmonic Concert Hall, Stained Glass Museum, Rzeźba-Paweł Orłowski Art Gallery, Emeryk Hutten-Czapski Museum
Nowy Swiat (‘New World’) lies on the west bank of the Vistula River, although it’s often known locally as Smoleńsko, which is the neighborhood’s main street. This area is a leafy suburb that’s home to the headquarters of several major Polish banks. As such, the area is considered fairly affluent and luxurious, so if you’re looking for luxury hotels and upmarket shopping malls, cafes, and restaurants, you’ll find them here.
There are some popular cultural attractions in Nowy Swiat, such as the Krakow Philharmonic Concert Hall, the Rzeźba-Paweł Orłowski Art Gallery, and the Stained Glass Museum.
Nowa Huta for Residential Charm
Photo Credit: fotohuta
Highlights: Wisniowy Sad Park, Nowa Huta Reservoir, Park Zalew Nowohucki
Nowa Huta, which means ‘New Steelworks’, is primarily a residential area, but it offers fascinating insights into Poland’s communist history. It was established in the 1950s when a huge steelworking plant was paid for by Russia as a gift to Poland. Apartment blocks, roads, shopping centers, and other amenities were quickly built to serve the 45,000 locals who were employed at the steelworks.
Today, communism no longer exists in Poland, but the minimal communist-era architecture remains in this pleasant suburb. If you’re looking for a private rental in Krakow, Nowa Huta might be a good place to find it.
Choose Your Krakow Accommodation
There’s a great mix of accommodation options available in Krakow, from luxury hotels to cheap aparthotel rentals. Now you’re familiar with the city’s main neighborhoods you can start searching for the perfect accommodation in an area that suits your style and budget.
